Paterson wants Robinson to apply for Scotland job

Chris Paterson has urged Andy Robinson to apply for the Scotland job after the former England boss revealed had not yet decided whether to do so.

Edinburgh head coach Robinson is the favourite to succeed Frank Hadden, whose four-year spell in charge came to an end on Thursday night.

Paterson has worked under Robinson, 45 yesterday, since returning to Edinburgh from Gloucester at the start of the season and is full of praise for his club boss.

“I think it’d be good if he applies but that’s up to him,” said the full-back, who is his country’s most capped player and record points scorer.

“If he applied and if he was successful, we’d lose a great coach at Edinburgh but that’s all ifs and buts and maybes.”

The 31-year-old, who has 95 caps and has scored 738 Test points, added: “I’ve been back at Edinburgh almost a year now and I’ve been really, really impressed with Robbo.

“He was a big factor in me coming back to Edinburgh. I think he’s helped my game a lot, I think he’s helped the team’s game a lot and I’ve really enjoyed this year.

“I think he’s an outstanding coach.”

Robinson goes on holiday today and will use his time away to discuss with his family whether to put his name forward for the Scotland job.

Speaking after Edinburgh’s 16-3 Magners League win over Cardiff last night, he said: “I’m going down to Toulon to watch my son play for England Under-18s.

“I’ll be then thinking through and talking through with my family whether I should apply for the role of Scotland head coach.

“I have to say that I agree with a number of statements that have been made over the past 24 hours that the SRU (Scottish Rugby Union) should take their time in this appointment.

“It’s right that the SRU find the right person to lead Scotland now that Frank has left.

“I will decide over the next couple of weeks whether I will apply for the role and I guess when I’ve decided that, I will inform you.”

The SRU earlier insisted insisted they will not be rushed into replacing Hadden.

There had been whisperings of a snap appointment but chief executive Gordon McKie yesterday promised an “open and exhaustive process” to identify the best man for the job.

He revealed the post would be advertised on the SRU’s own website and that the search for Hadden’s replacement would be worldwide, with nationality not an issue.

Of the prospect of Robinson applying, McKie told BBC Scotland: “Andy has a good pedigree as a coach and done very well with Edinburgh.

“But it’s important that we are not rushed. Andy will be benchmarked against anyone else who might apply.”

Robinson, who could face competition from Glasgow head coach Sean Lineen, is happy to put himself through the interview process.

“It has to happen,” he said. “There has to be an interview process. I think it’s exactly right, the stance.

“I noticed a comment from (former Scotland head coach) Jim Telfer. I think he’s spot on in his comments that you mustn’t rush into this appointment.”

Robinson insisted his poor record as England head coach – he won just nine of 22 Tests before resigning in November 2006 – would not deter him from applying.

He added: “There’s a lot for me to go through and it’s right I talk things through with my family.

“There’s a whole lot that you’ve got to go through in your discussions.”